The Dallas daily herald. [volume] (Dallas, Tex.) 1873-1887, 1887-11-29
"REMINISCENCES OF JENNY LIND.
Barnum's RccolIcction of The swcd-
ish Nightinanic's First Appearance
In This Country-A Famous MIL
yynuKee Organization.


IN This Country-A Famous MIL
vnuKee Organization.
~ was not surprised to hear Of
Jenny Lind's DEATH" said Phlneas
Taylor Barnum. the prince Of show
men. when called upon by Ne'c YORK.
Herald reporter.
lie received private dispatch from
Otto Goldschmidt, Jenny Lind's hus-
band. Morton Gardens, London. Eng
land, announcing the once-f famous
nightingale's demise, and at once
cabled a reply in which he said;
"a, who knew the peerless Jenny
Lind in private life as well as in public,
as woman and as an artist appre-
cate the greatness Of your loss. Ac-
cept the sympathy of your old friend"
Il brought Jenny Lind to this coun-
tsy al great risk" continued the vet
Gran shoman, land in spite of many
I predictions Of failure and financial
disaster. She had. as everyone almost
knows, great reputation before she
came here and she was, moreover, very
rich worth at least $1,000. 900. Her
success is n matter Of history.
II remember my first meeting with
the famous songstress. II was on Sun
day morning. Sept. /. 1850 on board
the steamer Atlantic, at quarantine.
where | slept all night in the residence
I of Dir. A. S. Doaae. then the hcalAli
| officer
| after few moments conversation
with her she asked me where | had
heard her sing. 4 never had the
| pleasure of seeing you before in my
| life.' replied. How Is it possible that
| you dared risk so much money on a
person whom you never heard sing?
she answered, in surprise. i rsked il
on your reputation, Which, in musical
matters. would much rather have
than my own Judgment answered.
Although | relied upon Jenny Lind's
reputation rs Il great musical artistic,
also took largely into my estimate of
her success with all classes OF the
American public her character for OK
traordinary benevolence and generosity.
Without this popularity in her DISPOSE
| ton never would have dared make
the engagement which did.
Jenny Linds character for benevol.
cnce became so generally known that
her door was beset by persons asking
charity, and she was in receipt, while
in the principal cities, of numerous
letters all on the same subject. / know
Of many instances in which she gave
sums of money to applicants varying
from 800 $50. and $500 to 81, 200, and
once she gave $4,000 TO Swedish
friend Jennie was in the habit of
attending church whenever she could
do so without attracting notice. She
always preserved her nationality and
always attended Swedish churches
whenever they could be found. She
gave $1,000 to Swedish church in
|thlcago. While in Baltimore my
daughter Caroline. who was mistaken
for Jenny, went TO church and sang in
the choir. What an exquisite singer!'
Heavenly sounds" 4 never heard the
liken and similar expressions were
whispered through the church.
Jenny Lind went into ecstasies over
Daniel Webster during her reception at
Washington, at which the president,
members OF the cabinet. and others
were present had previously intro
duced her to Webster in Boston. He
was carried away by her singing. At
the reception he greeted her by rising,
drawing himself up TO his full height
and making profound bow All.
Mr. Barnum, she exclaimed enthusias-
tically, that is a man. never before
have seen such man.
II remember very distinctly how
Jenny played Joke on me, or, rather.
laugh; me lesson. We were, think,
in Philadelphia. MANY ladies called to
be introduced to her. but she preferred
not to sec them, AZ she looked upon
them as curiosity A lady
friend of mine called, and after much
argument succeeded In introducing
her Jenny laughinglv said, j shall
be delighted to see her. But her man.
ner and face suddenly changed when
she said she did not know what to say
to nv friend. and expressed the hope
that would refrain in future from in
PRODUCING those seeking chance to
shake Jenny by the hand. And ] did
so.
"A funny incident, involving Horace
Greelev. occurred upon Jenny's arriv-
al In New York. She was received at
the Irving house that stood at the
northwest corner of Broadway and
Chambers street. Greeley came over
with his trousers tucked into his boots
and wearing his proverbial light-color-
ed overcoat. He started to remove bis
overcoat, when friend said, Don't;
it will destroy your identity SO he